Savi Davison leads PLDT High Speed Hitters against Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — PLDT may have bombed out of semifinal contention even before its final game, but Savi Davison and the High Speed Hitters made sure to finish the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on a high note.
If PLDT hadn’t lost its crucial game to Cignal last Saturday, the High Speed Hitters could have reached the Final Four after earning their first-ever win over defending champion Creamline, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 27-25, on Thursday evening at Philsports Arena.
Davison admitted they felt a tinge of regrets after falling short anew but getting their first win against Creamline for the first time in nine games since joining the league three years ago is something they can build on for the next conference.
READ: PVL: PLDT scores first ever win over Creamline to end campaign
“We just had to give it our all since there’s nothing that we could lose. Thinking about it now, we beat the top two teams in the conference. It kind of shows a lot that when we show up when we put our best out there, the sky’s the limit,” said Davison, who poured in 27 points and 15 excellent receptions.
“I think from that and just being able to show up without that motivation. Going into next season, using that and putting it forward, it’s gonna be really helpful in terms of adding that motivation and determination knowing that we were capable of what we did tonight,” she added.
WATCH: PLDT coach Rald Ricafort and Savi Davison on ending the All-Filipino Conference on a high note. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/q5GNM7QoTs
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PLDT finished the conference with an 8-3 record, a game short of the semifinals, where Creamline, Choco Mucho, Chery Tiggo, and Petro Gazz will clash in another round-robin.
READ: PVL: Savi Davison ‘more confident’ in role as PLDT’s go-to player
But the Filipino-American spiker remained proud after beating the most successful PVL team in front of their growing fan base.
“I think I notice more and more fans that come out every game for us, and I think that’s the best part of it. When I got here last year, we had a fanbase but it was not near as much as it is tonight. Like hearing our name against Creamline, like ‘let’s go PLDT,’ I was like ‘woah, we have a lot of people here,’” said Davison.
“I’m so happy that people are watching us and understanding the work that we put in. I think that means a lot to not only us but just volleyball as a whole. We appreciate it every time we go into the gym, we appreciate it every time we show up and leave the court. I just love to see that growth. Coming out of it as a statement, I think the fans are itself the statement.”
Savannah Davison leads PLDT High Speed Hitters against Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Davison, who played her second conference with PLDT, believes her team has the right pieces to contend for the title with Mika Reyes, Kianna Dy, and Jovy Prado recovering from their respective injuries.
“I don’t think there’s a missing piece. I think we have all the pieces. It’s just that we have to put them together, just figuring out the puzzle. It’s knowing what kind of role people have to play and how we put that together, how we play beside each other,” Davison said.
“I don’t think that, at the end of the day, we could say we don’t have something. We have it all. Like I’m said, I’m excited, especially with the new additions coming, hopefully, they come back and stuff and really quickly. There’s nothing I feel like we’re missing at all.”
Davison, who finished as the No.2 scorer of the elimination round with 207 points, remains eager to keep improving her craft as she hopes to get over the hump in the Reinforced Invitational Conference.
“I’ve learned more about myself in terms of just being more calm and confident and being there for the girls. I think as a team, we’ve learned a lot,” said Davison. “Patience is key, working hard, sacrifices that pay off every day in practice, the long days and early mornings, I think knowing that entering the next conference, we’re gonna put a lot out there and I’m really excited.”